The number of patients waiting more than four hours in A&E is at its
highest level in a decade, according to an authoritative report which
suggests that the financial squeeze is having an adverse effect on access to
care.

A survey of finance chiefs across the NHS and local authorities suggests that
while many organisations are at least balancing the books, this is being
achieved at a cost to the quality of care.

The quarterly survey, by the respected think-tank The
King’s Fund, had previously indicated that waiting times and
access to treatment was holding up well during the first